An employee with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) accused of misusing a state-issued card is now facing federal charges.

The US Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Louisiana said Delrice Augustus, 34, of Baton Rouge, is charged with federal program fraud. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, forfeiture of proceeds, restitution and up to three years of supervised release after prison sentence is done.

According to the Bill of Information, Augustus is accused of fraudulently misusing government purchasing cards to buy merchandise for himself and others. Investigators said he used the card belonging to someone under him and approved the charges on the card. The items purchased include:

Televisions

Movies

Cameras

Wireless audio systems (Sonos and Jawbone)

Gaming devices (Xboxes, Wii and Leapsters)

Mobile devices (iPads, Kindle Fires and iPhone 5)

Rental vehicles

Hotel rooms

Fuel

Vacuum cleaners

Dishwasher (installed)

Augustus, the director of the Bureau of Auditing and Compliance Services
within DCFS, is currently on leave. Officials said the crimes happened
from 2010 to March 2014. A plea agreement is being discussed.

Augustus also faces state charges. He was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of felony theft in excess of $500, illegal possession of stolen things (38 counts) and malfeasance in office (38 counts).

Louisiana State Police reported a search of his home turned up about $7,500 worth of the items purchased on the card and about $18,000 in cash was seized as evidence.

A Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services employee has been arrested on theft and malfeasance charges. Louisiana State Police reported Delrice Augustus, 34, of Baton Rouge, is accused of usingMore >>

A DCFS employee has been arrested on theft and malfeasance charges. He is accused of using a LaCarte purchasing card to buy thousands of dollars worth of items.More >>